Improvement in toy velocipedes



WILLIAM SELLERS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOY VELOCIPEDES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 135,5li, dated February 11, 1873.

same, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a partial horizontal section of i a modification of the same.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts. This invention relates to a toy velocipede,

the driving-power of which is secured to an axle supported by two wheels, each of which is provided with a fastening device, whereby the same can be readily locked to the axle in such a manner that if both wheels are locked to the axle the toy runs in a rectilinear direction, but if either one or the other of the wheels is loosened the toy runs on a curved or circular path; and by this variation in the motion of the toy an additional interest is imparted to the Same in the eyes of a child.

In the drawing, the letter A designates an axle, which is supported by two wheels B B. From this axle is suspended a frame, 0, which contains a clock-movement, Dsaid frame being made to swing loosely on the axle. The clock-movement is geared together with the axle A by means of a pinion, a, which is firmly mounted on said axle, so that if the clockmovement is wound up a revolving motion will be imparted to the axle, while the frame 0, which contains the clock-movement, remains suspended from said axle. The wheels B B turn loosely on the axle, and either or both of them can be fastened by any suitable fastening device. This fastening device may either consist of a simple'nut, I), (see Figs. 1 and 2,) which screws on the end of the axle, and in this case the axle is provided with a collar, 0, situated inside of the wheel to be fastened, so that by screwing up the nut the hub of the Thisdevice consists of aclutch, If", which slides on the axle and engages with notches in the hub of the wheel. A suitable lever serves to ship and unship the clutch. The clutch is by preference placed inside the wheel, and a pin,

which passes through the outer end of the axle,

prevents the wheel from running off.

It will be readily seen that other fastening devicesvmight be suggested which could be used for readily fastening or releasing the wheels; and I do not wish to be confined to either of the abovedescribed devices, but I reserve the right to Substitute'therefor any fastening device which may serve my purpose.

The object of this fastening device is to change the course in which the toy will run, at will. If both wheels are fastened on the axle the toy will run in a straight line. If either of the wheels is loosened and the other fastened the toy will run on a curved or circular path.

If desired, one or more wheels, mounted on i a different axle, may be connected to the axle A.

On the axle A may be secured the figure of a horse, or any other desirable figure or device, to improve the appearance of the toy.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- A toy velocipede, the driving-power of which is secured to an axle supported by two wheels, each of which is provided with a fastening device, serving to fasten the same to the WILLIAM SELLERS.

Witnesses Y W. HAUFF, E. F. KASTENHUBER. 

